Redmi Watch 6 and Redmi Watch 5 look very similar, which makes the buying decision confusing. Both watches offer a large AMOLED display, long battery life, Bluetooth calling, built-in GNSS/GPS support, health tracking, sports modes, and 5ATM water resistance.
Redmi Watch 6 is worth buying for new buyers who want the latest Redmi smartwatch with a slimmer design, brighter peak display, Bluetooth 5.4, more storage, and better controls. But if you already own Redmi Watch 5, upgrading is not necessary unless these improvements matter to you.
Redmi Watch 6 vs Watch 5
Redmi Watch 6 is better overall, but it is not a huge upgrade. The main improvements are design, brightness, Bluetooth version, storage, and usability. The core experience is still very close because both watches have the same 2.07-inch AMOLED display size, same resolution, same 550mAh battery, built-in GNSS, Bluetooth calling, and 5ATM water resistance.
For new buyers, Redmi Watch 6 is the better choice if the price difference is reasonable. For Redmi Watch 5 users, keeping Watch 5 is still a smart decision.
Redmi Watch 6 vs Redmi Watch 5 Specs Comparison
| Feature | Redmi Watch 6 | Redmi Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 2.07-inch AMOLED | 2.07-inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 432 × 514 pixels | 432 × 514 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 1500 nits HBM, 2000 nits peak | 1500 nits HBM |
| Thickness | 9.94mm | 11.3mm |
| Weight | Approx. 31g | Approx. 33.5g |
| Battery | 550mAh | 550mAh |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 days | Up to 24 days |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| GNSS/GPS | GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS | GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Storage | 512MB | 164MB |
| Microphone | 1 mic | 2 mics |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0+, iOS 14.0+ | Android 8.0+, iOS 12.0+ |
Design and Comfort
Design is one of the biggest upgrades in Redmi Watch 6. It is slimmer and slightly lighter than Redmi Watch 5. Redmi Watch 6 has a 9.94mm body, while Redmi Watch 5 is 11.3mm thick. This makes Watch 6 feel more comfortable for daily use, office, university, walking, workouts, and sleep tracking.
Both watches have an aluminum alloy frame, so Redmi Watch 5 still feels premium. However, Redmi Watch 6 looks more modern because of its slimmer body and updated physical controls.
Display Quality
Both watches have a 2.07-inch AMOLED display with 432 × 514 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. This means sharpness, smoothness, and screen size are almost the same.
The advantage of Redmi Watch 6 is brightness. It offers 2000 nits peak brightness, while Redmi Watch 5 offers 1500 nits HBM. For users in Pakistan, this matters because outdoor sunlight can make smartwatch screens harder to read.
Battery Life
Battery life is not a major upgrade. Both Redmi Watch 6 and Redmi Watch 5 come with a 550mAh battery and long battery claims of up to 24 days.
In real use, battery depends on settings. Always-on display, GPS workouts, Bluetooth calling, high brightness, health tracking, and frequent notifications will reduce battery timing. If you are upgrading only for battery, Redmi Watch 6 may not feel like a big jump.
GPS and Fitness Tracking
Both watches support built-in GNSS systems, including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, and QZSS. This is useful for outdoor running, walking, cycling, and fitness tracking.
Both models also include heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, stress tracking, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and electronic compass. Redmi Watch 6 may feel better during workouts because it is slimmer and lighter, but the basic fitness tracking experience is very similar.
Bluetooth Calling and Notifications
Both Redmi Watch 6 and Redmi Watch 5 support Bluetooth calling, so you can answer calls from the watch when it is connected to your phone. This is useful while driving, walking, working, or when your phone is not in your hand.
Redmi Watch 6 has Bluetooth 5.4, while Redmi Watch 5 has Bluetooth 5.3. The newer version may offer better connection stability, but actual performance also depends on your phone and app permissions.
One important point: these Redmi watches are not full app-based smartwatches like Apple Watch or premium Wear OS watches. They are good for calls, notifications, fitness, and battery life, but not for advanced third-party apps or full message replies.
Storage and Software
Redmi Watch 6 has 512MB storage, while Redmi Watch 5 has 164MB. This gives Watch 6 more space for supported functions and local features.
Software experience is similar on both models through the Mi Fitness app. You get watch faces, health data, sports modes, notifications, alarms, weather, music controls, and Bluetooth calling. Redmi Watch 6 is newer, so it may get better software attention, but Redmi Watch 5 is still modern enough for daily use.
Price in Pakistan
Price is the biggest deciding factor. Redmi Watch 6 is usually more expensive than Redmi Watch 5. If the price difference is small, Redmi Watch 6 is the better choice because it is newer and more refined.
But if Redmi Watch 5 is available at a much lower price with official warranty, it still offers excellent value. Pakistani buyers should always check seller authenticity, warranty, return policy, box condition, and whether the product is official or imported.
Redmi Watch 6 Pros and Cons
Pros
Redmi Watch 6 has a slimmer body, lighter weight, brighter peak display, Bluetooth 5.4, more storage, updated controls, AMOLED screen, long battery life, Bluetooth calling, built-in GNSS, and 5ATM water resistance.
Cons
It is more expensive, battery capacity is the same, display size and resolution are the same, and the upgrade over Redmi Watch 5 is not huge.
Redmi Watch 5 Pros and Cons
Pros
Redmi Watch 5 still offers a large AMOLED display, long battery life, Bluetooth calling, built-in GNSS, health tracking, aluminum frame, and 5ATM water resistance at a lower price.
Cons
It is thicker, slightly heavier, has older Bluetooth 5.3, less storage, and does not feel as refined as Redmi Watch 6.
Who Should Buy Redmi Watch 6?
Buy Redmi Watch 6 if you are a new buyer and want the latest Redmi smartwatch. It is better for users who want a slimmer design, brighter outdoor display, newer Bluetooth, more storage, and improved controls.
It is also a good upgrade for people moving from older Redmi watches, fitness bands, or cheap smartwatches with weak displays and poor battery life.
Who Should Buy Redmi Watch 5?
Buy Redmi Watch 5 if your budget is tight and you find it at a lower price. It is still a good option for students, office users, casual fitness users, and anyone who wants AMOLED display, Bluetooth calling, GPS, long battery life, and health tracking without paying extra.
Should Redmi Watch 5 Users Upgrade?
Most Redmi Watch 5 users do not need to upgrade immediately. Redmi Watch 6 is better, but the improvements are not big enough for every user.
Upgrade only if your Watch 5 feels bulky, outdoor brightness is not enough, you want newer Bluetooth, or you prefer the latest design. If your Watch 5 battery, display, GPS, and notifications are working fine, keeping it is the smarter choice.
Final Verdict
Redmi Watch 6 is worth it for new buyers, but it is not a must-have upgrade for Redmi Watch 5 owners.
It improves the experience with a slimmer body, lighter weight, brighter peak display, Bluetooth 5.4, more storage, and better controls. However, Redmi Watch 5 already has a strong AMOLED display, long battery life, Bluetooth calling, built-in GNSS, health tracking, and 5ATM water resistance.